To implement the Inland Northwest Economic Adjustment Strategy, and for other purposes.

March 3, 2004

Mr. CRAPO introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

To implement the Inland Northwest Economic Adjustment Strategy, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

This Act may be cited as the `Inland Northwest Revitalization Act'.

(a) SHORT TITLE- This Act may be cited as the `Inland Northwest Revitalization Act'.

(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS- The table of contents of this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Purposes.

Sec. 3. Definitions.

TITLE I--INLAND NORTHWEST REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP

Sec. 101. Establishment, membership, and employees.

Sec. 102. Decisions.

Sec. 103. Functions.

Sec. 104. Administrative powers and expenses.

Sec. 105. Meetings.

Sec. 106. Public participation.

Sec. 107. Annual report.

TITLE II--FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Sec. 201. Grants and other assistance.

Sec. 202. Approval of projects.

TITLE III--INLAND NORTHWEST REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP REGIONAL INITIATIVES

Sec. 301. Inland Northwest business cluster initiative.

Sec. 302. Entrepreneurial development initiative.

Sec. 303. Technology commercialization initiative.

Sec. 304. Community readiness initiative.

Sec. 305. Regional workforce development.

TITLE IV--ADMINISTRATION

Sec. 401. Consent of States.

Sec. 402. Program implementation.

Sec. 403. Program development criteria.

Sec. 404. Regional development planning process.

Sec. 405. Distressed and economically strong counties.

TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 501. Authorization of appropriations.

Sec. 502. Cessation of effectiveness.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

The purposes of this Act are--

(1) to assist the Inland Northwest Region in--

(A) making the industrial and commercial resources of the Region more competitive in national and world markets;

(B) generating a diversified regional economy;

(C) developing the industry of the Region;

(D) building entrepreneurial communities;

(E) providing the infrastructure necessary for economic and human resource development; and

(F) addressing problems unique to the Region;

(2) to provide a framework for coordinating Federal, State, tribal, and local initiatives to respond to the economic competitiveness challenges in the Region by--

(A) adapting and applying new technologies for businesses in the Region;

(B) improving the access of those businesses to the technical and financial resources necessary to development of the businesses;

(C) improving the skills of the workforce of the Region;

(D) using the actions of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-148) to sustain rural communities and local economies of the Region in addition to forest ecosystems;

(E) anticipating the effects of alternative energy policies and practices; and

(F) implementing programs and projects carried out in the Region by Federal, State, tribal, and local governmental agencies so as to better meet the special problems generated in the Region by the natural resource and federal land management policies of the United States;

(3) as the Region obtains necessary physical and transportation facilities and develops human resources, to assist the Region in generating a diversified industry so that the Region will be able to support itself through the workings of a strengthened free enterprise economy; and

(4) to address the needs of severely and persistently distressed areas of the Region, and to focus special attention on the areas of greatest need, so as to provide a fairer opportunity for the people of the Region to share the quality of life generally enjoyed by citizens across the United States.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE- The term `Cooperative Extension Service' means the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service of the Department of Agriculture.

(2) LOCAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT- The term `local development district' means an entity located in the Region that is an economic development district that is--

(A) organized and operated in a manner that ensures broad-based community participation and an effective opportunity for local officials, community leaders, and the public to contribute to the development and implementation of programs in the Region;

(B) governed by a policy board with at least a simple majority of members consisting of--

(i) elected officials; and

(ii) designees or employees of a general purpose unit of local government that have been appointed to represent the unit of local government; and

(C) certified by the Governor or appropriate State officer as having a charter or authority that includes the economic development of counties, portions of counties, or other political subdivisions within the Region.

(3) MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP- The term `manufacturing extension partnership' means a partnership of that name administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the Department of Commerce.

(4) PARTNERSHIP- The term `Partnership' means the Inland Northwest Regional Partnership established by section 101(a).

(5) REGION- The term `Region' means the area of the inland northwestern United States consisting of--

(A) all counties in the State of Idaho (including any political subdivision and tribal nations located within such a county);

(B) all counties in the State of Montana (including any political subdivision and tribal nations located within such a county);

(C) in the State of Washington, the counties of Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima; and

(D) in the State of Oregon, the counties of Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, and Wheeler.

(6) RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT AREA- The term `resource conservation and development area' means a designated area (as defined in section 1528(4) of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3451(4)).

(7) SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER- The term `small business development center' means any of the approximately 1,000 small business development centers that is--

(A) established by the Small Business Administration for the purpose of providing management and technical assistance to small businesses; and

(B) administered by the Office of Small Business Development Centers.

(8) STATE- The term `State' means the State of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington.

(9) STATE RURAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL- The term `State rural development council' has the meaning given the term in section 378(a)(4) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008m(a)(4)).

TITLE I--INLAND NORTHWEST REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP

SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT, MEMBERSHIP, AND EMPLOYEES.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT- There is established an Inland Northwest Regional Partnership.

(b) MEMBERSHIP- The Partnership shall be comprised of 40 members, including, for each State--

(1) 3 representatives designated by the Governor of the State;

(2) the Director for Rural Development of the Department of Agriculture for the State;

(3) the representative of the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce for the State;

(4) the leader of at least 1 Indian tribe located in the State, nominated by an Indian tribe in the State and appointed by the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians;

(5) the mayor of at least 1 city in each State, selected by the respective State municipal associations;

(6) a county commissioner from each State, selected by the respective county associations;

(7) an industry leader from the State, nominated by industry associations and appointed by the Governor of the State; and

(8) a small business leader from the State, nominated by a chamber of commerce in the State and appointed by the Governor of the State.

(c) COCHAIRPERSONS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE-

(1) COCHAIRPERSONS- The Partnership shall select from among the members of the Partnership the following 5 Cochairpersons:

(A) A State Cochairperson selected from among the 12 members of the Partnership that represent State government.

(B) A Federal Cochairperson selected from among the members of the Partnership that are--

(i) State directors of rural development of the Department of Agriculture; or

(ii) economic development representatives for each State under the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce.

(C) A tribal Cochairperson selected from among the members of the Partnership that are leaders of Indian tribes.

(D) A local Cochairperson selected from among the members of the Partnership that are--

(i) the mayors of a city in a State; and

(ii) county commissioners from a State.

(E) A private Cochairperson selected from among the members of the Partnership that are--

(i) industry leaders from a State; or

(ii) small business leaders from a State.

(2) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE-

(A) IN GENERAL- The 5 Cochairpersons of the Partnership shall form the Executive Committee of the Partnership.

(B) CHAIRPERSON- The Executive Committee of the Partnership shall select a Chairperson from the members of the Executive Committee.

(C) POWERS AND DUTIES- The powers and duties of the Executive Committee shall be established by policies developed and adopted by the Partnership.

(d) DELEGATION- A power or responsibility of the Partnership specified in section 102(c), and a vote of any member of the Partnership, may not be delegated to an individual who is--

(1) not a member of the Partnership; or

(2) not entitled to vote in Partnership meetings.

(e) STATUS OF PERSONNEL-

(1) IN GENERAL- No employee of the Partnership shall be considered to be a Federal employee for any purpose.

(2) DETAILED PERSONNEL- A Federal employee detailed under subsection (a)(3) or (b)(1) of section 106 shall not be considered to be an employee of the Partnership.

SEC. 102. DECISIONS.

(a) REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL- A decision by the Partnership shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present.

(b) CONSULTATION- The Federal Cochairperson, to the maximum extent practicable, shall consult with the Federal departments and agencies having an interest in the subject matter of matters before the Partnership.

(c) DECISIONS REQUIRING QUORUM OF MEMBERS- A quorum of 21 members is required for the Partnership to decide matters involving--

(1) policy of the Partnership;

(2) approval of development plans or strategy statements;

(3) modification or revision of the Partnership Code;

(4) allocation of amounts among the States;

(5) designation of--

(A) a distressed county; or

(B) an economically strong county; or

(6) approval of project and grant proposals.

SEC. 103. FUNCTIONS.

(a) IN GENERAL- In carrying out this title, the Partnership shall--

(1) coordinate, implement, and monitor--

(A) the strategic regional initiative described in sections 301 through 305; and

(B) projects developed by the Partnership;

(2) receive and disburse funds from Federal, State, tribal, and private sources designated for Inland Northwest economic adjustment strategy projects and programs;

(3) conduct and sponsor investigations, research, and studies (including an inventory and analysis of the resources of the Region) and, in cooperation with Federal, State, tribal, and local agencies, sponsor demonstration projects to foster regional productivity and growth;

(4) review and study, in cooperation with the agency involved, Federal, State, tribal, and local public and private programs and, as appropriate, recommend modifications which will increase the effectiveness of those programs in the Region;

(5) encourage private investment in industrial, commercial, and recreational projects;

(6) serve as a focal point and coordinating unit for programs in the Region;

(7) seek to coordinate the economic development activities of, and the use of economic development resources by, Federal agencies in the Region; and

(8) carry out such other projects and activities as are appropriate to promote regional, interstate, and local economic development.

(b) IDENTIFICATION OF NEEDS AND GOALS OF SUBREGIONAL AREAS- In carrying out the functions in subsection (a), the Partnership shall identify the characteristics of, and may distinguish between the needs and goals of, appropriate subregional areas.

SEC. 104. ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS AND EXPENSES.

(a) POWERS- To carry out its duties under this title, the Partnership may--

(1) establish bylaws for the Partnership;

(2) appoint and compensate necessary personnel for the Partnership;

(3) enter into contracts to carry out the responsibilities of the Partnership;

(4) subject to section 101(e), request the head of any Federal department or agency to detail to temporary duty with the Partnership any personnel within the administrative jurisdiction of the head of the department or agency that the Partnership may need for carrying out its functions, provided that each detail is without loss of seniority, pay, or other employee status;

(5) arrange for the services of personnel from any State or local government, subdivision or agency of a State or local government, or intergovernmental agency;

(6) accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or any property; and

(7) take such other actions and incur such other expenses as may be appropriate.

(b) AUTHORIZATIONS-

(1) DETAIL OF EMPLOYEES- Subject to section 101(e), the head of a Federal department or agency may detail personnel under subsection (a)(2).

(2) ENTER INTO AND PERFORM TRANSACTIONS- A department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government may enter into and perform a contract, lease, cooperative agreement, or other transaction under subsection (a).

(c) EXPENSES-

(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraph (3), administrative expenses of the Partnership shall be shared equally by the Federal Government, participating Indian tribes, and the States in the Region.

(2) AMOUNT PAID BY EACH STATE- The Partnership shall determine the amount to be paid by each State.

(3) DELINQUENT STATES- During the period that a State or Indian tribe is delinquent in payment of the share of that State or Indian tribe of administrative expenses--

(A) assistance authorized by this title shall not be furnished to the delinquent State or Indian tribe, including any political subdivision or any resident of that State; and

(B) a State or tribal member of the Partnership shall not participate or vote in any decision by the Partnership.

SEC. 105. MEETINGS.

The Partnership shall conduct at least 1 meeting each year with at least a majority of the members present.

SEC. 106. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Partnership shall provide for and encourage public participation in the development, revision, and implementation of all plans and programs under this title by the Partnership, any State, or any local development district.

(b) GUIDELINES- The Partnership shall develop and publish minimum guidelines for public participation, including public hearings.

SEC. 107. ANNUAL REPORT.

Not later than 180 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Partnership shall submit to the Governor of each State and to the President, for transmittal to Congress, a report describing the activities carried out under this title during the fiscal year.

TITLE II--FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

SEC. 201. GRANTS AND OTHER ASSISTANCE.

(a) AUTHORIZATION TO MAKE GRANTS-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Partnership may make grants to qualified organizations within the Region for the purposes of implementing an Inland Northwest economic adjustment strategy.

(2) LIMITATION ON AVAILABLE AMOUNTS-

(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in subparagraph (B), not more than 50 percent (or, in the case of a project to be carried out in a county for which a distressed county designation is in effect under section 405, 80 percent) of the cost of any activity eligible for financial assistance under this section may be provided from amounts appropriated to carry out this title.

(B) DISCRETIONARY GRANTS-

(i) IN GENERAL- Discretionary grants made by the Partnership to implement significant regional initiatives, to take advantage of special development opportunities, or to respond to emergency economic distress in the Region may be made without regard to the percentage limitations specified in subparagraph (A).

(ii) LIMITATION ON AGGREGATE AMOUNT- For each fiscal year, the aggregate amount of discretionary grants under clause (i) shall not be more than 50 percent of the amount appropriated under section 503 for the fiscal year.

(3) SOURCES OF GRANTS- Grant amounts may be provided entirely from appropriations to carry out this section, in combination with amounts available under other Federal or Federal grant programs, or from any other source.

(4) FEDERAL SHARE- Notwithstanding any provision of law limiting the Federal share in any other Federal program, amounts made available to carry out this section may be used to increase that Federal share, as the Partnership determines to be appropriate.

(b) RECORDS-

(1) PARTNERSHIP-

(A) IN GENERAL- The Partnership shall--

(i) maintain accurate and complete records of transactions and activities financed with Federal amounts; and

(ii) include a summary of those transactions and activities in the annual report under section 107.

(B) AUDIT- The records described in subparagraph (A)(i) shall be available for audit by the President and the Comptroller General.

(2) RECIPIENTS OF FEDERAL ASSISTANCE-

(A) IN GENERAL- A recipient of Federal assistance under this section, as required by the Partnership, shall--

(i) maintain accurate and complete records of transactions and activities financed with Federal amounts; and

(ii) report to the Partnership on the transactions and activities.

(B) AUDIT- The records described in subparagraph (A)(i) shall be available for audit by the President, the Comptroller General, and the Partnership.

SEC. 202. APPROVAL OF PROJECTS.

(a) IN GENERAL- An application for a grant or for other assistance for a specific project under this title shall

be made through a member of the Partnership representing the applicant.

(b) EVALUATION-

(1) IN GENERAL- The member shall evaluate the application for approval in accordance with paragraph (2).

(2) REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL- For an application to be approved, the member shall certify, and the executive committee shall determine, that the application--

(A) implements the Partnership--approved regional development strategy;

(B) adequately ensures that the project will be properly administered, operated, and maintained and that project results will be measured; and

(C) otherwise meets the requirements for assistance under this title.

TITLE III--INLAND NORTHWEST REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP REGIONAL INITIATIVES

SEC. 301. INLAND NORTHWEST BUSINESS CLUSTER INITIATIVE.

The Partnership may provide technical assistance, provide grants, enter into contracts, or otherwise provide amounts to persons or entities in the Region for business cluster development efforts that--

(1) increase the competitiveness and sustainability of clusters of related businesses; and

(2) bring together groups of related business leaders, industry experts, and related stakeholders and technical assistance providers to develop and implement cluster developments and projects.

SEC. 302. ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.

The Partnership may provide technical assistance, provide grants, enter into contracts, or otherwise provide amounts to individuals or entities in the Region for entrepreneurial development efforts that--

(1) organize, educate, and direct local communities in the Region to identify obstacles to the competitiveness and growth of existing businesses;

(2) assist communities in addressing those obstacles in business retention and expansion programs with specific implementation actions;

(3) promote and encourage the growth of entrepreneurial activity in the Region;

(4) bring together entrepreneurship practitioners, academic experts, business leaders, and technical assistance providers to identify develop and implement a prioritized action plan to encourage entrepreneurship across the Region;

(5) form a working network of business incubator managers and stakeholders, academic experts, business leaders, and technical assistance providers;

(6) increase affordable access to advanced telecommunications, entrepreneurship, and information technologies or applications in the Region;

(7) provide education and training in the use of telecommunications and technology; or

(8) develop programs to increase the readiness of industry groups and businesses in the Region to engage in electronic commerce.

SEC. 303. TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION INITIATIVE.

The Partnership may provide technical assistance, provide grants, enter into contracts, or otherwise provide amounts to individuals and entities in the Region for technology commercialization efforts that--

(1) increase the transfer of technology from universities, national laboratories, and other technology centers to businesses, and foster technology business development, in the Region;

(2) create a network of universities, national laboratories, business leaders, industry experts, and States; and

(3) implement strategies and projects that promote the growth and development of technology-related business through technology transfer and related activities.

SEC. 304. COMMUNITY READINESS INITIATIVE.

The Partnership may provide technical assistance, provide grants, enter into contracts, or otherwise provide amounts to persons or entities in the Region for capacity-building efforts that--

(1) increase the competitiveness and sustainability of local communities;

(2) bring together rural capacity-building practitioners, academic experts, related stakeholders, and technical assistance providers; and

(3) implement a system of providing assistance for basic community strategic planning, delivering more specialized community assessments, and delivering training to communities across the Region, using existing service providers to the maximum extent practicable.

SEC. 305. REGIONAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

(a) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE ENTITY- In this section, the term `eligible entity' means a consortium that--

(1) is established to serve 1 or more industries in a specified geographic area; and

(2) consists of representatives of--

(A) businesses (or a nonprofit organization that represents businesses);

(B) labor organizations;

(C) State and local governments; or

(D) educational institutions.

(b) PROJECTS TO BE ASSISTED- The Partnership may provide technical assistance, provide grants, enter into contracts, or otherwise provide amounts to eligible entities in the Region for projects to improve the job skills of workers for a specified industry.

TITLE IV--ADMINISTRATION

SEC. 401. CONSENT OF STATES.

Nothing in this title requires a State to engage in or accept a program under this title without the consent of the State.

SEC. 402. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION.

(a) REQUIREMENTS- A program, project, or activity authorized under this chapter shall not be implemented until--

(1) the responsible Federal official determines that--

(A) applications and plans relating to the program, project, or activity are not incompatible with this title; and

(B) objectives of Federal laws that the official administers are not inconsistent with this title; and

(2) the Partnership has approved the program, project, or activity and has determined that the program, project, or activity--

(A) meets the applicable criteria under section 403 and the requirements of the development planning process under section 404; and

(B) will contribute to the development of the Region.

(b) DECISION IS CONTROLLING- A decision under subsection (a)(2) shall apply to, and be accepted by, Federal agencies.

SEC. 403. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA.

(a) FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED- In considering programs, projects, and activities to be provided assistance under this title, and in establishing a priority ranking of the requests for assistance presented to the Partnership, the Partnership shall follow procedures that will ensure consideration of--

(1) the relationship of the program, project, or activity or class of programs, projects, or activities to overall regional development, including the location of the program, project, or activity in a severely and persistently distressed county or area;

(2) the population and area to be served by the program, project, or activity or class of programs, projects, or activities, including the per capita market income and the unemployment rates in the area;

(3) the relative financial resources available to the State or political subdivisions or instrumentalities of the State that seek to undertake the program, project, or activity;

(4) the importance of the program, project, or activity or class of programs, projects, or activities in relation to other programs, projects, or activities or classes of programs, projects, or activities that may be in competition for the same amounts;

(5) the prospects that the program, project, or activity for which assistance is sought will improve, on a continuing rather than a temporary basis, the opportunities for employment, the average level of income, or the economic and social development of the area served by the program, project, or activity; and

(6) the extent to which the program, project, or activity design provides for detailed outcome measurements by which grant expenditures may be evaluated.

(b) LIMITATION ON USE- Financial assistance made available under this title shall not be used to assist establishments relocating from 1 area to another.

(c) DETERMINATION REQUIRED BEFORE AMOUNTS MAY BE PROVIDED- Amounts may be provided for programs, projects, or activities in a State under this title only if the Partnership determines that the level of Federal and State financial assistance under other laws for the same type of programs, projects, or activities in that part of the State within the Region will not be diminished in order to substitute amounts authorized by this title.

(d) MINIMUM AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE TO DISTRESSED COUNTIES AND AREAS- For each fiscal year, not less than 50 percent of the amount of grant expenditures approved by the Partnership shall support activities or projects that benefit severely and persistently distressed counties and areas.

SEC. 404. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING PROCESS.

(a) REGIONAL PLANNING AND COORDINATION-

(1) IN GENERAL- In accordance with such guidelines as shall be established by the Partnership, each State and tribal member shall be encouraged to submit to the Partnership a development plan for

the 1 or more areas of the State, or area under the jurisdiction of the tribal member, within the Region.

(2) REQUIREMENTS- The plan shall--

(A) reflect the goals, objectives, and priorities identified in the regional development plan and in any subregional development plan that may be approved for the subregion of which the State is a part;

(B) describe the goals, objectives, and priorities of the State for the Region, as established by the Governor, and identify the needs on which the goals, objectives, and priorities are based; and

(C) describe the development strategies for achieving the goals, objectives, and priorities (including availability of funding sources and recommendations for specific projects to receive assistance under this title).

(b) REGION-WIDE ACTION PROGRAMS-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Partnership shall encourage the preparation and execution of area-wide action programs.

(2) EXISTING PLANS- The action programs shall make appropriate use of existing plans affecting the area.

(c) FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITIES- To the maximum extent practicable, Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities undertaking or providing financial assistance for programs, projects, or activities in the Region shall--

(1) take into account the policies, goals, and objectives the Partnership and member States of the Partnership established under this Act; and

(2) recognize development strategies for the Region that are approved by the Partnership as satisfying requirements for overall economic development planning under the programs, projects, or activities.

SEC. 405. DISTRESSED AND ECONOMICALLY STRONG COUNTIES.

(a) DESIGNATIONS-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Partnership, in accordance with such criteria as the Partnership may establish, shall annually--

(A) designate as `distressed counties' those counties in the Region that are the most severely and persistently distressed; and

(B) designate 2 categories of economically strong counties, consisting of--

(i) `competitive counties', which shall be those counties in the Region that are approaching economic parity with the rest of the United States; and

(ii) `attainment counties', which shall be those counties in the Region that have attained or exceeded economic parity with the rest of the United States.

(2) ANNUAL REVIEW OF DESIGNATIONS- The Partnership shall--

(A) conduct an annual review of each designation of a county under paragraph (1) to determine if the county still meets the criteria for the designation; and

(B) renew the designation for another 1-year period only if the county still meets the criteria.

(b) DISTRESSED COUNTIES- In developing and implementing programs, projects, and activities under this title, and in allocating amounts made available to carry out this title, the Partnership shall give special consideration to the needs of counties for which a distressed county designation is in effect under this section.

(c) ECONOMICALLY STRONG COUNTIES-

(1) COMPETITIVE COUNTIES- Except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4), assistance under this title for a program, project, or activity that is carried out in a county for which a competitive county designation is in effect under this section shall not be more than 30 percent of the cost of the program, project, or activity.

(2) ATTAINMENT COUNTIES- Except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4), amounts may not be provided under this title for a program, project, or activity that is carried out in a county for which an attainment county designation is in effect under this section.

(3) EXCEPTIONS- Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply to a multicounty project that is carried out in at least 2 counties designated under this section, if--

(A) at least 1 of the participating counties is designated as a distressed county under this section; and

(B) the project will be of substantial direct benefit to at least 1 distressed county.

(4) WAIVER- The Partnership may waive the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) for a program, project, or activity if the recipient of assistance for the program, project, or activity demonstrates the existence of any of the following:

(A) A significant area of distress in the part of the county in which the program, project, or activity is carried out.

(B) A significant potential benefit from the program, project, or activity in at least 1 area of the Region outside the designated county.

TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 501. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.

(b) AVAILABILITY- Amounts made available under subsection (a) shall remain available until expended.

SEC. 502. CESSATION OF EFFECTIVENESS.

This Act (except subsections (a)(1) and (b) of section 102) ceases to be effective October 1, 2012.

END